Dave Ellis - Weekly Update

In his weekly column Gloucester defence coach Dave Ellis looks back at last weekend's Wild Card semi-final, ahead to this Saturday's clash with Saracens, and talks about his role with All Blacks this summer.

Dave Ellis - Weekly Update

The announcement of my appointment to the All Blacks coaching team in an advisory capacity for the Lions tests has made national news this week, and the attention from the media has been somewhat interesting. The angle the press seems to have followed suggests I am some sort of spy, disclosing top-secret information to the evil dark side.

Well, I must plead guilty as charged! Problem is, I've been doing this since my involvement with the French national team in 2000. It's a role I'm used to and enjoy. Pitting my skills against the world's best is a tremendous challenge and I am sure the experience will be fascinating and broaden my knowledge as a rugby coach. Maybe one of these days I might see light? Who knows?

I travel to New Zealand on Monday next week to meet the All Blacks coaching team of Graham Henry, Steve Hansen, Wayne Smith and the less well-known kicking coach Mike Byrne. I met Mike during the Six Nations Championship in 2002 when he was employed as a specialist kicking coach for the Scottish RFU.

Mike's background is in Aussie Rules, a native of Melbourne who starred for Hawthorn Hawks. He played in the same Premiership winning team as the legendary Dermot Brereton, one of the most successful Aussie Rules footballers in history,

With the excitement of the Lions tour approaching it was ironic that Gloucester faced Newcastle and that man Jonny Wilkinson last week. As usual, the focus was on the England World Cup hero, and although he was far from his best, he still managed to make one scintillating break early on, a couple of big tackles and produce an exceptionally accurate place kicking display.

Despite already having three recognised fly-halves on the plane in Ronan O'Gara, Stephen Jones and Charlie Hodgson, I was not surprised to see his name added to Clive Woodward's Lions party. The tourists will need all their truly world-class players to perform and Jonny is well worth the risk. If he progresses with his form and fitness, I expect him to leapfrog the others to take a Test place.

His opposite number last Sunday was our very-own Duncan McRae, who has had a mixed season mainly due to injury, but I felt his display eclipsed that of the Newcastle fly half.

Despite reluctantly taking over the kicking duties, with the exception of one penalty miss from in front, Duncan struck the ball exceptionally well. His leadership in a make shift back-line, with James Forrester and Brad Davies both playing out of position, was exemplary and he combined creativity with ball in hand, and generated good field position through intelligent kicks

Another outstanding performance came from James Forrester in the unusual position of centre. Having been drafted to stand in for the injured Terry Fanolua, he showed power and speed to crash over for his first score and constantly looked threatening with his ability to pop pass out of the tackle. There is little doubt James has outstanding skills and pace, running wide seems to suit his style of game and I hope we are able to exploit this talent further in his more familiar position next season.

To defeat Saracens at Twickenham on Saturday and gain entry to next year's Heineken Cup would round off the season on high, on what otherwise has been a generally disappointing season at Kingsholm.

Unfortunately our walking wounded list continues with the news that Jake Boer has a broken bone in his hand, putting him out of the Zurich Wild Card final.

It is however, fitting that Andy Gomarsall, one of our best players in recent seasons will finish off his Gloucester career at the home of English rugby, before his move north to Worcester.

Speaking to GRTV in front of the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge, Henry Trinder explained how important the West Country Challenge Cup is going to be for the Cherry and Whites in their preseason preparations.

Speaking to GRTV at preseason training this Tuesday, new signing Willi Heinz gave an update on his recovery from a leg injury and expressed his enjoyment since his arrival in new surroundings with Gloucester Rugby.

Speaking to GRTV after the 22-23 defeat against Bordeaux-Begles which denied Gloucester a place in next season's European Rugby Champions Cup, Nick Wood rued the momentary lapse in concentration which allowed the French side to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

As Gloucester prepare for their 39th game of the season, against Bordeaux-Begles at Sixways on Sunday, David Humphreys told the local media that this week has been all about getting the players mentally and physically ready after a tough game against Connacht last Sunday.

Gloucester Rugby and Scotland scrum half Greig Laidlaw is gearing up for Rugby World Cup with his international teammates, and speaking to the assembled media this week, Laidlaw is excited to be in familiar surroundings at the showcase tournament.

With 50 days to go until Rugby World Cup 2015 gets underway several of the nations that are set to take to the Kingsholm Stadium field during the pool stages were in action in Toronto in Round Three of the Pacific Nations Cup.